Just as Barcelona looked in for a difficult afternoon thanks to a first half strike from Sergio Garcia, Lionel Messi sparked into action to steer his time to a brilliant 5-1 win. The diminutive Argentine scored a goal either side half-time before Pique headed Luis Enrique's side into a commanding 3-1 win.

Substitute Pedro then got in on the act with a well-timed finished before Messi completed yet another La Liga hat-trick.

17:47

90mins: We're into stoppage time now at the Nou Camp where Messi has been at his sensational best. The home side, still in search of the sixth goal, will move two points behind Real Madrid.

17:45

Suarez joins Pique to celebrate the Spaniard second half header

17:44

86mins: Iniesta looks to play in Alves, but the Brazilian is offside as the ball runs out of play. The Barca players have certainly enjoyed this second half.

And it's four. Pedro gets in on the act to give the Catalan giants a 4-1 lead. Alba plays a long ball right onto Pedro's right boot, the Spaniard controls and lashes home to compound Espanyol's misery.

17:32

74mins: Messi has almost won the game on his own at the Nou Camp but still he tracks back, wins the ball and earns a huge cheer from the home fans.

17:30

Lionel Messi and teammates had a message for Thomas Vermaelen, currently recovering from surgery on his hamstring. pic.twitter.com/bBDsuXecTp

Pete Jenson: Messi's magic covering a multitude of sins. Barca slow, sideways, static and being held by mid-table Espanyol.

16:48

HALF-TIME! Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol

16:46

GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol (Messi 45')

Who else but Lionel Messi? Just when it looked as though Espanyol would take a deserved lead into the break, Messi picks up the ball outside the box, fakes to shoot before curling a delightful shot low past Casilla and into the net.

16:45

Messi vies with Espanyol's Ivorian defender Eric Bailly

16:44

40mins: Espanyol come so close to doubling their lead following another bright counter-attack. Víctor Sanchez is played through by Garcia and finds himself one on one with Bravo, but a loose touch hands the advantage to the keeper who saves well.

16:41

Messi looks to get things going for Barca during a poor first half

16:39

Luis Enrique won't be happy with what he's seen so far...

16:37

36mins: The Catalan giants come close again. This time Suarez tries his luck from 18-yards out. However, the former Liverpool man snatches at his effort and the left-footed striker trickles past Casilla's left post.

16:35

33mins: Barca smell blood here. Messi looks like he's had enough of watching the game pass him by and jinks through tackles of two Espanyol defenders before just being crowded out inside the penalty area.

16:33

Garcia (9) fires the opening goal past Bravo in the 13th minute

16:31

30mins: So close from Messi! He hits the crossbar with the free-kick he'd won just moments earlier. Casilla was beaten all ends up.

16:30

29mins: Caicedo, who has been Espanyol's best player, wins the ball in his own half before bombing forward and feeding Garcia. Unfortunately for the travelling fans, Garcia's shot was tame and Bravo saved easily.

At the other end, Messi is fouled on the edge of the area in a very dangerous position. The Argentine stands over the ball...

16:27

Sergio Garcia looks happy with that one!

16:26

Espanyol players celebrate the opening goal

16:26

24mins: It's all a bit too predictable from Barca. Messi, out on the right, has done very little while Suarez is struggling to get into the game.

Rakitic looks lively, but has just lost the ball on the edge of Espanyol's box after a loose touch.

16:21

Garciá is Espanyol's 1st player to score a league goal at Camp Nou since Ivan de la Peña on 21 Feb 2009 - also Espanyol's last win at Barça.

18mins: Barca look to hit back through Messi, but the Argentine overhits his diagonal pass to Alba and out of play for an Espanyol corner.

16:19

One to forget for Busquets

Pete Jenson: Busquets continues to be a shadow of the player he was under Pep Guardiola.

16:14

GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Espanyol (Garcia 13')

And it's Espanyol with the opening goal! Sergio Garcia, who has started brightly capitalised on a mistake by Busquets before driving into the Barca box and finishing with his left foot. Pique backed off and backed off, allowing Garcia time and space for a shot.

16:10

Neymar (right) sets off on an early run during the first half

16:09

7mins: The visitors enjoy their best moment of the game as good work down the left sees Sergio Garcia race to the byline before cutting the ball back across Barca's six yard box.

Pique managers to clear with Caicedo lurking.

16:07

5mins: Rakitic swings in a deep cross from the right which looked to be gliding towards the head of Suarez at the far post. Alvaro is there to clear.

The away side have started with two banks of four and have been leaving two men up, but are yet to see much of the ball.

16:03

2mins: Espanyol start brightly as Caicedo attacks down the left before Alba clear for Neymar to go off on his first sprint of the afternoon.

The Brazilian beats two before passing to an offside Suarez.

16:01

Lionel Messi has created more chances (38) & completed more take-ons (51) than any other La Liga player this season. pic.twitter.com/9ptb3pO5Oy